Gaude’s ouster first step towards Kala Academy restoration: Taskforce

Panaji: The Kala Academy taskforce committee chairperson Vijay Kenkre said the dropping of art and culture minister Govind Gaude from the cabinet is a long-overdue course correction in the battle to save the state’s iconic performing arts complex.“This is the first step in saving Kala Academy,” he told TOI. He said that the crumbling state of the recently renovated building may have played a role in Gaude’s removal. “There must be a bunch of reasons, but Kala Academy has to be one of them,” Kenkre said.The Kala Academy renovation was criticised by artistes from Goa and Maharashtra, architects, audiences and the opposition. They alleged that the work lacked technical oversight and compromised the structural integrity of the building. The taskforce was therefore appointed by chief minister Pramod Sawant to address the issues and make recommendations. "Gaude never discussed any of the issues with us. It was only Sawant who extended his cooperation. To Gaude, the taskforce might as well have not existed,” Kenkre stated“We’re not interested in the internal political decisions. All we want is a good, functional auditorium. We are performers. We want to perform in spaces that are worthy of our craft and safe for audiences,” Kenkre said.